MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2023 Regular Session

To: Public Health and Welfare

By: Senator(s) Bryan, Hill

Senate Bill 2575

(As Sent to Governor)

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 83-9-10, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE ALL ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND ALL GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES, PLANS OR PROGRAMS REGULATED BY THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI TO PROVIDE COVERED BENEFITS FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN THE SAME MANNER AS OTHER PROVIDERS; TO PROHIBIT ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES, PLANS OR PROGRAMS REGULATED BY THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI FROM DENYING THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE AS A CONTRACT PROVIDER; TO PROVIDE THAT ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY SYSTEMS AND GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES, PLANS OR PROGRAMS REGULATED BY THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI MAY NEGOTIATE AN APPROPRIATE FEE SCHEDULE FOR MEDICAL TREATMENT PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

     BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

     SECTION 1.  The following shall be codified as Section 83-9-10, Mississippi Code of 1972:

     83-9-10.  (1)  For purposes of this section, the terms "alternative delivery systems" and "covered benefits" shall have the same definitions as provided in Section 83-9-37.

     (2)  All alternative delivery systems and all group health insurance policies, plans or programs regulated by the State of Mississippi shall provide covered benefits for medical treatment provided by the county health departments of the State Department of Health in the same manner as other providers.

     (3)  Alternative delivery systems and group health insurance policies, plans or programs regulated by the State of Mississippi shall not deny the State Department of Health the right to participate as a contract provider.

     (4)  Nothing in this section shall prohibit alternative delivery systems and group health insurance policies, plans or programs regulated by the State of Mississippi from being able to negotiate an appropriate fee schedule for medical treatment provided by the county health departments of the State Department of Health.

     SECTION 2.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2023.